Staff and councillors are teaming up with NHS colleagues to promote a long weekend of vaccinations across the city and county.
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG is hosting its second Big Weekend event from today (Friday) until Monday next week. It follows the success of the first Grab A Jab at the Forest Recreation Ground two weeks ago when hundreds of people turned out.
Nottingham City Council’s frontline officers and councillors have been helping to spread the message this week that all those eligible for a Covid vaccine can receive one at nine sites across the county, including three in the city.
All will be open from 8am to 8pm from Friday to Monday offering walk-in appointments to anyone over 18 for their first or second dose. Second doses will be available for anybody who had their first dose on, or before, 30 April.
All sites will be offering both Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines to the public, and trained staff will be available at the vaccination sites to answer your questions.
Lucy Hubber, Director of Public Health at Nottingham City Council, said: “We’re really pleased that a second Big Weekend event is taking place because it’s a fantastic chance to get more people protected against Covid.
“We’ve come such a long way in recent weeks and months, but there’s no hiding from the fact that Covid rates continue to rise nationally and here in Nottingham. It’s vitally important for as many people as possible to be vaccinated.
“Some people may have not have had the vaccine because they were nervous, didn’t think it was important for them or found it difficult to make an appointment. Getting your vaccine protects you from getting very ill with the virus and protects everyone around you, as it helps to break the chain of transmission – this is about working together.
“Every adult is now eligible and the NHS has confirmed that there is no need to book – you can simply turn up at any of the main vaccination sites without an appointment to receive your jab.”
Councillor Adele Williams, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health at Nottingham City Council, said: “We’ve all been affected by the impact of the pandemic over the past 15 months. It’s been a completely unprecedented time where we’ve had to isolate from our friends and families for long periods, while tragically we’ve lost a lot of people in Nottingham to this awful disease.
“The Covid vaccine is the best way we can strike back against it, protect ourselves and our loved ones, and work as a team to unlock the country and start to return our lives to how we remember them before March of last year.
“This second Big Weekend at sites across the city and county is a great way to get more people protected and I’m really pleased that it’s been extended this time to include an additional two days – it’s a perfect opportunity for anyone eligible to come along without an appointment and get their free vaccine.
“Councillors will be out and about over the next few days helping to spread the message across our communities, so I’d urge anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to take the opportunity. If you’re over 18, you don’t need an appointment – just turn up at a time convenient to you.”